Yeah I can see that point and understand it truth be told. It’s certainly a divisive and risky signing.

Lots of players have led questionable lives, and have been in and out of trouble, and their clubs have stood by them - not for philanthropic reasons, but because they've invested a lot in them.

This can't just be dismissed. Wigan RL is a business, and its survival and success depends on smart business decisions.

Signing a world-class player can turn a club's fortunes around, even if he comes with a 'bad boy' tag. Saints already look like champions, and that's significantly down to Ben Barba. Ellery Hanley was the first major signing the new-look Wigan made in the mid-1980s, and what a revolution that ushered in (the massive crowds alone made it worthwhile).

Any potential issues you have with a player due to his behaviour must be weighed against the potential gain from his on-field presence. In that regard, with Zak Hardaker, at the very least you'd have to seriously consider bringing him on board. We should remember that genuine world-class players are rare beasts in SL these days.

i can't even believe we have 9 pages discussing this.... we should absolutely 100% sign Zak if possible.

i'm confident the club is the right kind of scene to look after him, while if he does step out of line again the club would also punish him accordingly / sever ties. I appreciate fans come from all walks of lives and beliefs but the comments from some is laughable, such as "i won't be supporting wigan anymore" etc. what a load of rubbish. we've had umpteen "bad boys" over the years and many of them are still lauded to this day by the club as legends.

get real and get with the times. i'd be over the moon if we acquired his services, he would be a great utility addition to the first team squad.

Sorry, but he really isn't. IMO. He wouldn't get into *any* NRL side in his preferred (and best) position of full-back. And when I've seen him play at centre, he's looked very ordinary indeed. Not really an improvement on Sarge, and certainly not as good as Gildart.

Furthermore, if it's true that Cas sacked him because he failed *another* drugs test, all the more reason Wigan shouldn't go near him.

Well said totally agree with you loved him when he played for Featherstone on the wing and kicking goals for fun.

We could always sign Scott Moore instead...?

Hardaker was involved in an “incident” in Pontefract town centre in the early hours of this morning.
Don’t know the details but doesn’t sound good......

With Rangi Chase no doubt

If he was with Jamie Ellis I would be really worried.

If jamie Ellis is not in a chippy i would be surprised

Hardaker is none of our business as things stand but even if he becomes our business, I would take reports of 'incidents' in the Castleford with a pinch of salt. He's a tool and Im sure there will be more scrapes but for every one actual 'Incident' there will be ten made up ones.

Interesting comments at the ‘Meet the Directors’ evening last night.
1. Steve Gill said he showed “no remorse” for his actions.
2. He was offered a pre-contract deal in January but turned it down.
3. His behaviour since his suspension contributed to Cas’ decision to dismiss him.

It has been noted that there is a sporting precedent to sue Hardaker to recoup the cost of his transfer fee and any fee spent on a replacement.

well done to you, hope you win paid a lot and got 5 months out of him, shame Gills stepping down doing/done a great job

Is Jon Wells replacing Gill?

It was also said his ban could be as long as 3 years long but no reason was given why.